Spikers improving, ready for biggest challenge yet

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Written by Scott Allen

Published: August 27, 2015

MT. CARMEL- The Lady Aces volleyball team faces their toughest test of the young season Thursday night with a trip to perennial state powerhouse Edwards County. But, without a senior on the roster, the Aces have learned a thing or two already.

Tuesday, against Lawrencville, the Aces almost stole a game which would have clinched a win over a Lady Indians barely its’ senior, with three upperclassmen on the roster. First-year coach Kelsey Beckerman took note of the effort and improvement, despite the 0-2 start.

“We played really well,” said Beckerman, after her club’s 25-17, 23-25, 21-25 loss in the Hilltop opener. “We played together and that’s a huge thing. They want to work hard for each other and together. We saw that tonight.”

Mt. Carmel, after winning the first game, came close to a sweep after rallying from a 23-20 deficit tie the second game at 23. The Indians wiggled off the hook, scoring the next two points to preserve a Game Two win, and setting the stage for the rubber game.

Just enough senior leadership in the end for Lawrenceville?

“Yeah, just enough,” said Lady Indians coach Trinity Britton, a former Mt. Carmel standout player now in her fourth year at the Lawrenceville helm. “They came out really tight and nervous. It’s our first game. We built throughout the night. We’re thankful for that.”

In the third game, Lawrenceville [1-0] bolted to a 13-6 lead, but had to fend off a last-minute bid by the Aces to win the game by four points, and thus the match.

“We came back from some holes that we dug for ourselves. That was awesome,” Beckerman said.

The Mt. Carmel coach lauded her team’s passing. Beckerman, though, “would still like to see some harder swings. We can get those from them.” She said serving also seems to be a bright spot, based on early play.

Lawrenceville won the frosh/soph matchup in similar fashion. After absorbing a 25-9 loss in the first game, the visitors roared back for 25-13 and 15-10 wins to capture the match.